The Solar Kitchen Initiative by UNDP Angola provides clean energy solutions to rural communities and addresses the lack of reliable electricity that affects women farmers. By introducing solar-powered kitchens, the initiative enhances food security, boosts agricultural productivity, and creates economic opportunities.
Solar Kitchen Initiative: A Game-Changer for Rural Angola
Access to energy is a critical factor for sustainable development. Yet, for many rural communities in Angola, reliable electricity remains out of reach. According to the 2019-2020 agricultural census, more than 83 percent of villages have no access to electricity. Another 11 percent depend on private generators, which are expensive and unreliable. This energy gap severely affects rural livelihoods, particularly for women farmers who rely on agriculture for their survival.
To address this challenge, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Angola has launched the Solar Kitchen Initiative. This project aims to provide clean and sustainable energy solutions to women in rural communities. By introducing solar-powered kitchens, the initiative will improve food security, increase agricultural productivity, and enhance economic opportunities.
The Solar Kitchen Initiative is part of a broader push by UNDP Africa under the #SwitchIt crowdfunding programme. This pan-African effort aligns with the UNDP Energy Moonshot, which seeks to provide affordable and sustainable energy to 500 million people by 2025. The initiative also supports a fair energy transition while promoting gender equality and economic growth.
To fund this groundbreaking project, UNDP Angola joined the Crowdfunding Academy for Nature, Climate, and Energy projects in Africa. Supported by the UNDP Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy and the IRH-Alternative Finance Lab, this academy provided critical training on alternative financing strategies. The result was the launch of UNDP Angola’s first-ever crowdfunding campaign: "Solar Kitchen: Cooking with the Right Energy!".
How Solar Energy Transforms Rural Economies
Women play a key role in Angola’s agricultural sector. They cultivate crops, manage farms, and run cooperatives. However, the lack of energy access limits their productivity and economic opportunities. In Cacula — a municipality in Huíla province — women farmers struggle to preserve their harvests due to the absence of refrigeration and processing facilities. Crops like pumpkins and sweet potatoes frequently go to waste, which reduces food availability and household income.
The Solar Kitchen Initiative provides a sustainable solution. With solar-powered kitchens and improved water access, women will gain the tools they need to store and process their harvests more efficiently. This initiative is expected to benefit 47 women directly, thus impacting 78 families and an estimated 468 people — including local students.
Moreover, access to clean energy could lead to a 250 percent increase in cultivated land and agricultural output, based on results from other regions in Huíla. With more efficient farming and food processing, women can generate higher incomes and invest in the growth of their cooperatives.
Empowering Women, Strengthening Communities
Women like Isabel and Maria — who lead local cooperatives — stand to benefit the most from the Solar Kitchen Initiative. With reliable energy access, they can scale up their farming activities, expand their businesses, and reduce the time spent on labour-intensive tasks.
This initiative also addresses broader social and economic challenges. In many rural areas, women spend hours collecting firewood and cooking with inefficient stoves. These methods are not only time-consuming but also harmful to their health due to prolonged exposure to smoke. Solar-powered kitchens eliminate these risks by providing a safer and healthier cooking environment.
Furthermore, improved access to clean energy supports children’s education. In villages where families lack electricity, students often struggle to study after sunset. With solar energy, schools and homes can remain lit, thus giving children better learning opportunities.
The Solar Kitchen Initiative is part of "Kurima – Embracing the Transformation of Rural Economies" — a larger UNDP programme in Angola. Kurima focuses on expanding clean energy access, improving agricultural productivity, and enhancing digital and financial inclusion. By tackling these interconnected challenges, UNDP aims to create a more resilient and self-sufficient rural economy.
The impact of the Solar Kitchen Initiative extends beyond individual beneficiaries. By providing sustainable energy solutions, the programme lays the foundation for long-term economic development. Rural businesses can thrive, food security can improve, and communities can gain greater control over their futures.